Hyrcania fortress site in Judean Desert excavated for the first time in Israel

For the first time, archaeologists are excavating a Hasmonean fortress from the second century B.C.E., known as “Hyrcania" after John Hyrcanus, who was a Maccabean leader and a Jewish high priest during that time.

The site, located on a desert hilltop in the Judean Desert, is considered to be archaeologically significant, according to historian Josephus’ book, “Antiquities of the Jews."

Hyrcania was one of the three fortresses that the wife of Alexander Janneaus, Salome Alexandra, refused to give up to the Pharisees. King Janneaus was the second Hasmonean king who ruled during the first century B.C.E.

“The archaeological significance of the site is tremendous. Unearthing the evidence, it's something that overwhelms us,” said Michal Haber, one of the archaeologists in charge of the excavation. 

The Hyrcania site is also associated with King Herod the Great and was made infamous as the place where he held his rivals captive and tortured them. The fortress is also related to the Dead Sea Scrolls, including the copper scroll, which contains instructions about a treasure.

“We assume that the treasures which are mentioned in the scroll are the treasures of the temple. The late archaeologist Hanan Eshel suggested that they are also treasures from the first temple era. We conducted excavations in two locations of two tunnels on the foothill. They were huge - two-meter high, one meter wide, with a length of 123 meters,” said Dr. Oren Gutfeld, who heads the excavation.

Until recently, Hyrcania was inside a military training zone.

Located on a remote hilltop in hot region, the site can only be accessed by foot. The excavation team used donkeys to carry its heavy digging equipment to the peak.

Despite the challenges of accessing the site, volunteers were eager to work alongside the archaeologists.

“We found some glasswork that, for me, was unique” said Kevin Sullivan, an American volunteer.

“Ancient history is our history, and as we discover history we feel like we are making history here today,” said Bill Hild, professor of archaeology at Carson-Newman University in Tennessee.

Until now, the archaeologists have found parts of a Byzantine monastery at the site, as well as several ancient items, including a ring with an early Arabic inscription.